Wow! Brace Yourself SEC, Ohio State is Fox's Preseason #1

[crawfish]

For now, these rankings are based on how good the teams look following the 2007 season and who's coming back for 2008 and not necessarily where they'll end up. Don't forget that a great team can look lousy when playing a nasty schedule, while an average team might be overrated after playing a bunch of cream puffs. Before getting too excited or too ticked off, remember, recruiting hasn't finished up yet and spring practice is still several weeks away. This is just an early indicator of where the teams might be.


1. Ohio State — 2007 Record: 11-2

SEC fans will go ballistic at the notion, and America might let out a collective groan at the thought of OSU in another national title game, but with all the returning talent, this really should be 2008's best team. Remember, 2007 was supposed to be a rebuilding year and a stepping-stone to this season. Getting to the national championship was unexpected gravy. Shock of shocks, most of the stars decided to come back for one more year with DE Vernon Gholston the only early defector. The Buckeyes don't have the speed or athleticism of the top teams, right? The NFL certainly doesn't think so with at least 11 starters, not including both kickers, who'll be drafted with five, LB James Laurinaitis, LB Marcus Freeman, CB Malcolm Jenkins, RB Beanie Wells and OT Alex Boone, who'd be starting on day one of the 2008 NFL season. A national punching bag after two straight blowout losses in BCS Championships, the Buckeyes will be good enough to get another shot with almost everyone of note returning on offense including QB Todd Boeckman and top receivers Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie. The defense might lose Gholston and LB Larry Grant, but nine starters are back. PK Ryan Pretorius and P A.J. Trapasso form one of the nation's best kicking duos.

2. Georgia — 2007 Record: 11-2

The expectations are off the charts after a seven-game winning streak ended 2007 and almost all the top players coming back on both sides of the ball. The receiving corps could use an overall upgrade, and strong safety Kelin Johnson and end Marcus Howard will be missed, but that's nitpicking. The only other concern is the lack of a safety net behind Knowshon Moreno in the backfield, and Matthew Stafford has to become the NFL caliber quarterback he's expected to be, but this is a true national title contender from day one.

3. Oklahoma — 2007 Record: 11-3

This is a national title-caliber team if the offensive line plays up to its talent level. With OG Duke Robinson, OT Phil Loadholt and the rest of the starters back, this should be the nation's best front five to give QB Sam Bradford and RBs DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown time and room to work. WR Malcolm Kelly is gone, but Juaquin Iglesias was the team's best receiver over the course of 2007. Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Curtis Lofton and CB Reggie Smith left early, and some other big voids need to be filled in the secondary, but this should still be one of the league's best defenses.

4. Florida — 2007 Record: 9-4

2006 might have been Urban Meyer coaching Ron Zook's team and 2007 might have been about restocking the shelves. Now, 2008 will be all about Meyer's program getting back to a national title level. Top receiver Andre Caldwell is gone, two starters have to be replaced on the offensive line, and pass rushing star Derrick Harvey and strong safety Tony Joiner have to be replaced. That's about it. The running game will be better with USC transfer Emmanuel Moody expected to rock and roll right away, while Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin might just be the two best offensive players in America.

5. USC — 2007 Record: 11-2

Because of the brand name and the way the 2007 season ended, the Trojans will be in everyone's top three, if not No. 1. However, there are issues. The jury is still out on a receiving corps that underperformed, Mark Sanchez and Mitch Mustain have to prove worthy of running the show, three starters have to be replaced on the O line, and a few key parts are gone off the killer defense. Of course, this is USC, it reloads, but this isn't nearly as good a team as the one going into last year.

6. LSU — 2007 Record: 12-2

Alright Les, it's all your program now. With a national title and three years at the helm, Miles has to replace several key players on his "damn good football team" along with defensive coordinator Bo Pelini. Ricky Jean-Francois needs to be the new star on the D line and Tyson Jackson has to play up to his pro potential, while defensive back seven has to replace outside linebackers Ali Highsmith and Luke Sanders along with safety Craig Steltz and corner Chevis Jackson. The offense loses WR Early Doucet, steady QB Matt Flynn and bruising RB Jacob Hester. Even though another national title will be a lot to ask for, the attack should keep rolling with Ryan Perrilloux at quarterback behind a great line.

Rest of Fox's Top 25 (http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/7687842)

7. Wisconsin — 2007 Record: 9-4

8. Missouri — 2007 Record: 12-2

9. West Virginia — 2007 Record: 12-2

10. Texas Tech — 2007 Record: 9-4

11. Penn State — 2007 Record: 9-4

12. Tennessee — 2007 Record: 10-4

13. Kansas — 2007 Record: 12-1

14. Auburn — 2007 Record: 9-4

15. Texas — 2007 Record: 10-3

16. Oregon — 2007 Record: 9-4

17. Virginia Tech — 2007 Record: 11-3

18. Illinois — 2007 Record: 9-4

19. Boston College — 2007 Record: 12-2

20. Clemson — 2007 Record: 9-4

21. Michigan — 2007 Record: 9-4

22. BYU — 2007 Record: 11-2

23. South Carolina — 2007 Record: 6-6

24. Alabama — 2007 Record: 7-6

25. Wake Forest — 2007 Record: 9-4

[D^3]

Okay.... WHO at FOX is a blatant Ohio State homer?

[adamsputnik]

After the last two years, tOSU would probably be rather displeased if things ended up that way at the end of 2008.

UGA 38 tOSU 14 :wink:

[crimsonnation713]

shocking :glare:

[ColonelKurtz]

No different than what we're seeing from other very early preseason guestimates, the Fox effort isn't outrageous or ridiculous. Their thinking is based in part on the cupcake fattening Big Snow schedule the blackeyes face. We'll know what the nutz have after their trip to Tinseltown to play the cheaters of SpoiledChildren.

[crimsonnation713]

No different than what we're seeing from other very early preseason guestimates, the Fox effort isn't outrageous or ridiculous. Their thinking is based in part on the cupcake fattening Big Snow schedule the blackeyes face. We'll know what the nutz have after their trip to Tinseltown to play the cheaters of SpoiledChildren.

I HAVE missed these posts. Nice to see ya Colonel.:thumpsup:

[nellanaesp]

I'll be pissed if Ohio State makes it to the NC game again next year. like CRAZY pissed. the SEC needs to schedule tOSU in out of conference play, then they'd have to earn it. If they played all of their OOC against the SEC, they would go down early in the year, easily.

[GatorBait15]

Well UF is starting at 4 again hope it doesnt mean 4 losses again!

[crawfish]

Well UF is starting at 4 again hope it doesnt mean 4 losses again!

I doubt that's going to happen again for a while. One or two at the most probably.

[tennesseegirl]

I for one am shocked and appalled! NOT!

[DanielW4444]

2. Georgia — 2007 Record: 11-2

The expectations are off the charts after a seven-game winning streak ended 2007 and almost all the top players coming back on both sides of the ball. The receiving corps could use an overall upgrade, and strong safety Kelin Johnson and end Marcus Howard will be missed, but that's nitpicking. The only other concern is the lack of a safety net behind Knowshon Moreno in the backfield, and Matthew Stafford has to become the NFL caliber quarterback he's expected to be, but this is a true national title contender from day one.




Guess Caleb King, Richard Samuel, Dontavious Jackson, and Carlton Thomas dont count?

[scfan5338]

For now, these rankings are based on how good the teams look following the 2007 season and who's coming back for 2008 and not necessarily where they'll end up. Don't forget that a great team can look lousy when playing a nasty schedule, while an average team might be overrated after playing a bunch of cream puffs. Before getting too excited or too ticked off, remember, recruiting hasn't finished up yet and spring practice is still several weeks away. This is just an early indicator of where the teams might be.


hmmmmmm, reminds me of this team this past year that played youngstown state, akron, minnesota, northwestern, and kent state....oh yeah its the team they just listed #1 !!:brick::brick::brick:

OSU proved AGAIN last year why they shouldn't be ranked #1 because they flat out can't compete against the SEC. the fake usc would be a better fit at #1. without a doubt uga should be #1 and osu should be OUT of the top 5.

[UKat]

Imagine that, the media picking a Big10 or Pac10 or ND team as pre-season #1........they just don't get it. They want so bad for anyone other than the SEC to rule college fball.

[crimsonnation713]

Imagine that, the media picking a Big10 or Pac10 or ND team as pre-season #1........they just don't get it. They want so bad for anyone other than the SEC to rule college fball.

too bad they can't have it their way....THE SEC AINT BURGER KING !!!!!

[UKat]

too bad they can't have it their way....THE SEC AINT BURGER KING !!!!!I know that's right! The SEC is Football KING!

[azamugg]

they discovered a book in between the cushions in O'Briens office on Masochism

[sheluvsbama]

I am never shocked that tOSU is ranked high. They are consistently good, but I wouldn't say they should be ranked first. They will be absolutely certain to take a tumble.

[zorak34]

The media is purely pisse at the SEC because they was the buckeyes turn to win it last year and we foiled it. So they set it up again this year and we foiled them again. There determined sometime in the next 100 years that the will get the prediction right and the buckeyes win the national championship game. There is a plan that's a brewing but old kirk herb to get the SEC banned so the buckeyes won't lose so badly again! Mark it down the SEC will be in the NC game for the next decade until the buckeyes lose the panties and earn there way there!

[Tider27]

Guess Caleb King, Richard Samuel, Dontavious Jackson, and Carlton Thomas dont count?

By the look of your sig, Knowshon is the only one that matters to you anyway. :D

[Nate]

Fox wouldn't know college football if it bit them in the ass

their BCS game commentating sucks and most of CFN's/Fox's college football articles/projections/etc. are retarded

they are always good for a laugh though, lol

[KillerNut]

While I think we will have a good team next year, I don't know if #1 is where I want to be to start the season. We play @ USC this year in week 3.

[KillerNut]

1. Ohio State — 2007 Record: 11-2

SEC fans will go ballistic at the notion, and America might let out a collective groan at the thought of OSU in another national title game, but with all the returning talent, this really should be 2008's best team. Remember, 2007 was supposed to be a rebuilding year and a stepping-stone to this season. Getting to the national championship was unexpected gravy. Shock of shocks, most of the stars decided to come back for one more year with DE Vernon Gholston the only early defector. The Buckeyes don't have the speed or athleticism of the top teams, right? The NFL certainly doesn't think so with at least 11 starters, not including both kickers, who'll be drafted with five, LB James Laurinaitis, LB Marcus Freeman, CB Malcolm Jenkins, RB Beanie Wells and OT Alex Boone, who'd be starting on day one of the 2008 NFL season. A national punching bag after two straight blowout losses in BCS Championships, the Buckeyes will be good enough to get another shot with almost everyone of note returning on offense including QB Todd Boeckman and top receivers Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie. The defense might lose Gholston and LB Larry Grant, but nine starters are back. PK Ryan Pretorius and P A.J. Trapasso form one of the nation's best kicking duos.

That pretty much says it all about the talent argument. If tOSU doesn't have the talent to supposedly compete with the SEC, then why do we lead all CFB teams with the number of players in the NFL currently and all-time? :headscrat Well maybe I suppose that the talent in the NFL does not compare to that of the SEC. :dry:

[larryt4111]

While I think we will have a good team next year, I don't know if #1 is where I want to be to start the season. We play @ USC this year in week 3.
Ain't that the darn truth. #1 preseason is a NAIL IN THE COFFIN ! :thumpsup:
I WILL BE PULLING FOR STATE AGAINST USCw,
and anyone else who plays USCw!!! :thumpsup:

[DanielW4444]

By the look of your sig, Knowshon is the only one that matters to you anyway. :D

Well, If I put them all in there, someone would throw a fit about it being too big. Caleb King can easily earn his way into my sig during the season, but if he want to be in my sig, hes going to have to earn it :laugh::laugh::laugh:

[Sabanocchio]

Well maybe I suppose that the talent in the NFL does not compare to that of the SEC. :dry:
NOW you're gettin' it! :D

[larryt4111]

1. Ohio State — 2007 Record: 11-2

SEC fans will go ballistic at the notion, and America might let out a collective groan at the thought of OSU in another national title game, but with all the returning talent, this really should be 2008's best team. Remember, 2007 was supposed to be a rebuilding year and a stepping-stone to this season. Getting to the national championship was unexpected gravy. Shock of shocks, most of the stars decided to come back for one more year with DE Vernon Gholston the only early defector. The Buckeyes don't have the speed or athleticism of the top teams, right? The NFL certainly doesn't think so with at least 11 starters, not including both kickers, who'll be drafted with five, LB James Laurinaitis, LB Marcus Freeman, CB Malcolm Jenkins, RB Beanie Wells and OT Alex Boone, who'd be starting on day one of the 2008 NFL season. A national punching bag after two straight blowout losses in BCS Championships, the Buckeyes will be good enough to get another shot with almost everyone of note returning on offense including QB Todd Boeckman and top receivers Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie. The defense might lose Gholston and LB Larry Grant, but nine starters are back. PK Ryan Pretorius and P A.J. Trapasso form one of the nation's best kicking duos.

That pretty much says it all about the talent argument. If tOSU doesn't have the talent to supposedly compete with the SEC, then why do we lead all CFB teams with the number of players in the NFL currently and all-time? :headscrat Well maybe I suppose that the talent in the NFL does not compare to that of the SEC. :dry:
Nut,
Let me get this right... your basicly saying that there isn't a talent, size, or speed problem at OS, AM I RIGHT SO FAR?
Well, are you SUGGESTING that your coaching staff sucks and can't coach that talent, size, and speed well enough to compete with the SEC on a regular basis or what???
OS has a PROVEN track record against the SEC over the years. I'll give you that much I guess.
DUAH, I GUESS 0-9 ain't too bad, or is it?

Least you forget that a LOWLY South Carolina team beat you 2 years in a row of those 9 using the same play- Fake Punt to the same player Ryan Brewer a former Ohio State Mr. Football who your coaches didn’t even offer a scholarship to!
Need I go on? I can if you wish!


Like I said above I will be pulling for OS against USCw... just because the Pac 10 teams are another bunch of WANTABE'S with big Media Hipe.

[GetEmGamecocks]

More proof that the SEC dominates college football: KillerNut comes to this forum.

[crawfish]

While I think we will have a good team next year, I don't know if #1 is where I want to be to start the season. We play @ USC this year in week 3.

I do believe OSU will have a much better team next year. They were young this year and really didn't lose that much on both sides of the ball. Yeah, you're right KillerNut, that week three game with USC will be huge in determining the destiny of next year's Buckeye's season. A win would certainly put OSU in the NCG talk again.

[KillerNut]

More proof that the SEC dominates college football: KillerNut comes to this forum.

More so that there are a lot of well thought knowledgeable posters on this site whom are nice to talk to to get outside opinions on different subjects. I am a diehard Buckeye but I like talking a lot more to outsiders than others from the same fanbase. I belong to a few other tOSU websites and do most of my posting over there but this is a great site. I have never disputed the fact that the SEC is the best CFB conference. What turned me on to this site was the overwhelming compassion of the fans on here for their respective teams. That is really second to none IMHO is great to see. A lot of other sites including tOSU site, are nothing but trash talk nonsense that makes it suck to try to conversate with anyone. This is not.

[Sabanocchio]

More proof that the SEC dominates college football: KillerNut comes to this forum.

There is a "no trashing KN" rule on this forum, GEG. Someone should have told you, but we'll let it slide this time.

[sheluvsbama]

While I think we will have a good team next year, I don't know if #1 is where I want to be to start the season. We play @ USC this year in week 3.

It is always detrimental to start the year ranked #1. It is sometimes harder to hold onto that spot than it is to make the climb. I would be glad to play USC if I were you. It will be a nationally televised game, and if you win it, you will have shown a lot of people what you are capable of. It will get you respect. This is something we have always known at Alabama. You have to play the national powers in order to garner respect. It is worthwhile.:happy:

[bbqit]

Hey Ohio State! Bring It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tider27]

Hey Ohio State! Bring It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shouldn't you worry about the SEC first? Miss St. or even Alabama for that matter? :whistle: :D

[bbqit]

Shouldn't you worry about the SEC first? Miss St. or even Alabama for that matter? :whistle: :D



bring it! not much else I can say after 0-8

[bbqit]

btw I really doubt we will be 0-8 next year. Somebody got to lose is what that means. Who or who+ will that be? My bet is there isn't a person on this board that will think it is there team.

[Tider27]

btw I really doubt we will be 0-8 next year. Somebody got to lose is what that means. Who or who+ will that be? My bet is there isn't a person on this board that will think it is there team.

To quote your coin phrase: Bring it!!! :lol:

[bbqit]

To quote your coin phrase: Bring it!!! :lol:


We should play golf sometime! I like yo style!

[shanksta13]

The Buckeyes don't have the speed or athleticism of the top teams, right? The NFL certainly doesn't think so with at least 11 starters, not including both kickers, who'll be drafted with five, LB James Laurinaitis, LB Marcus Freeman, CB Malcolm Jenkins, RB Beanie Wells and OT Alex Boone, who'd be starting on day one of the 2008 NFL season.

That pretty much says it all about the talent argument. If tOSU doesn't have the talent to supposedly compete with the SEC, then why do we lead all CFB teams with the number of players in the NFL currently and all-time? :headscrat Well maybe I suppose that the talent in the NFL does not compare to that of the SEC. :dry:

So do yall just get outcoached and outplayed every time? I really thought last year was an anamoly, but it's hard to really make an argument against the SEC being superior at this point.

[Tider27]

We should play golf sometime! I like yo style!

Sure, come to my home town's course...its about the only place I will have a shot at beating anyone. :lol:

[M2J]

I don't think its outrageous. I pretty much agree with his analysis of OSU. I think The Sweater Vest did the best coaching job of the year. This was a rebuilding year, and while they didn't have the hardest schedule, he got them playing hard and believing they could win it all last year and didn't really go down to any big upsets in conference. They're gonna contend for the next 2 seasons atleast.

But I would place Georgia as number 1, it all doesn't matter

[crimsonnation713]

1. Ohio State — 2007 Record: 11-2

SEC fans will go ballistic at the notion, and America might let out a collective groan at the thought of OSU in another national title game, but with all the returning talent, this really should be 2008's best team. Remember, 2007 was supposed to be a rebuilding year and a stepping-stone to this season. Getting to the national championship was unexpected gravy. Shock of shocks, most of the stars decided to come back for one more year with DE Vernon Gholston the only early defector. The Buckeyes don't have the speed or athleticism of the top teams, right? The NFL certainly doesn't think so with at least 11 starters, not including both kickers, who'll be drafted with five, LB James Laurinaitis, LB Marcus Freeman, CB Malcolm Jenkins, RB Beanie Wells and OT Alex Boone, who'd be starting on day one of the 2008 NFL season. A national punching bag after two straight blowout losses in BCS Championships, the Buckeyes will be good enough to get another shot with almost everyone of note returning on offense including QB Todd Boeckman and top receivers Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie. The defense might lose Gholston and LB Larry Grant, but nine starters are back. PK Ryan Pretorius and P A.J. Trapasso form one of the nation's best kicking duos.

That pretty much says it all about the talent argument. If tOSU doesn't have the talent to supposedly compete with the SEC, then why do we lead all CFB teams with the number of players in the NFL currently and all-time? :headscrat Well maybe I suppose that the talent in the NFL does not compare to that of the SEC. :dry:
KN....buddy O mine....it aint da NFL that we're talkin' about.Just look back at the last 2 years. Ur azz is still coming into Columbus in bits and pieces. :laugh:

[azamugg]

I do believe OSU will have a much better team next year. They were young this year and really didn't lose that much on both sides of the ball. Yeah, you're right KillerNut, that week three game with USC will be huge in determining the destiny of next year's Buckeye's season. A win would certainly put OSU in the NCG talk again.

you're right Crawfish, they will be better, to the point if they meet another SEC team in the NCG they will only lose by 10

[azamugg]

It is always detrimental to start the year ranked #1. It is sometimes harder to hold onto that spot than it is to make the climb. I would be glad to play USC if I were you. It will be a nationally televised game, and if you win it, you will have shown a lot of people what you are capable of. It will get you respect. This is something we have always known at Alabama. You have to play the national powers in order to garner respect. It is worthwhile.:happy:



not sure Auburn would agree with that statement

[sheluvsbama]

More so that there are a lot of well thought knowledgeable posters on this site whom are nice to talk to to get outside opinions on different subjects. I am a diehard Buckeye but I like talking a lot more to outsiders than others from the same fanbase. I belong to a few other tOSU websites and do most of my posting over there but this is a great site. I have never disputed the fact that the SEC is the best CFB conference. What turned me on to this site was the overwhelming compassion of the fans on here for their respective teams. That is really second to none IMHO is great to see. A lot of other sites including tOSU site, are nothing but trash talk nonsense that makes it suck to try to conversate with anyone. This is not.

It probably has more to do with the South, than anything else. You will still find a certain kinsmanship among Southerners. It is rather like an "us against the world" type thing. We have long fought outside put-downs. It has made us stick together despite petty arguments amongst ourselves.:happy:

[CanineBacker]

1. Ohio State — 2007 Record: 11-2

SEC fans will go ballistic at the notion, and America might let out a collective groan at the thought of OSU in another national title game, but with all the returning talent, this really should be 2008's best team. Remember, 2007 was supposed to be a rebuilding year and a stepping-stone to this season. Getting to the national championship was unexpected gravy. Shock of shocks, most of the stars decided to come back for one more year with DE Vernon Gholston the only early defector. The Buckeyes don't have the speed or athleticism of the top teams, right? The NFL certainly doesn't think so with at least 11 starters, not including both kickers, who'll be drafted with five, LB James Laurinaitis, LB Marcus Freeman, CB Malcolm Jenkins, RB Beanie Wells and OT Alex Boone, who'd be starting on day one of the 2008 NFL season. A national punching bag after two straight blowout losses in BCS Championships, the Buckeyes will be good enough to get another shot with almost everyone of note returning on offense including QB Todd Boeckman and top receivers Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie. The defense might lose Gholston and LB Larry Grant, but nine starters are back. PK Ryan Pretorius and P A.J. Trapasso form one of the nation's best kicking duos.

That pretty much says it all about the talent argument. If tOSU doesn't have the talent to supposedly compete with the SEC, then why do we lead all CFB teams with the number of players in the NFL currently and all-time? :headscrat Well maybe I suppose that the talent in the NFL does not compare to that of the SEC. :dry:

It's none of that. The difference is that SEC teams have to play at a much higher level week in and week out than OSU does. As a result, when the SEC champ and OSU meet in the championship game, the SEC team is more battle tested if you will. All teams play up or down to the compitition. When you play at a lower level all season long it is well neigh impossible, no matter how good your players and coaches are, to all of a sudden play up to the level of a team far superior to anyone you have played all season, and has played superior compitition in general to boot. This has been OSU's main problem the last two years against UF and LSU.

[the Prodigy]

I guess someone will get an easy NC again this year when OSU gets to the NC again, and folds.... AGAIN!

[bulldawg]

I'm surprised its not USC.

[D^3]

I'm surprised its not USC.

USC is ESPN's lover.

Ohio State is definitely FOX's main squeeze.

[BAMA NATE]

FOX should stick to its NFL business. How in the hell do Auburn and Tennessee crack the Top 15 of any poll this season? A lot of question marks on this poll...